Workshop of artistic exchange
© Christian Schneider
The International Summer Academy of the Mozarteum University starts anew and expands with ARCO - Art, Research and Creation Opus and the Summer Academy Baroque (in Siena). The program connects teachers, students and musicians from all over the world in Salzburg and establishes cultural connections across Europe.
The founding of the Summer Academy at the Mozarteum University in 1916 by the singer Lilli Lehmann not only marks the beginning of a decades-long successful academy for classical music with top-class master classes, summer courses, workshop concerts and diverse social events for and with musicians from all over the world, but also defined a broad field in which the deeply rooted musical tradition could be continued and at the same time always new ventures could be made. More than 550 international participants are expected at the 2022 Summer Academy, which, after a two-year break and the second time under the artistic direction of Hannfried Lucke, Vice Rector for Art at the Mozarteum University, is taking place under very special auspices: "Our new beginning after this long period is still developing somewhat hesitantly due to the pandemic and the war situation in Ukraine. However, we are confident that the attendance and demand will rise again to the usual level in the coming years." In 2022, the Summer Academy will also host for the first time ARCO - Art, Research and Creation Opus, the French-Austrian Academy for Contemporary Composition, a cooperation between the Mozarteum University and the Gmem Marseille. "ARCO is the further development from an academy for contemporary music founded by the French composer Yann Robin and the former Franco-German summer academy OPUS XXI, both of which followed the idea of placing highly renowned French ensembles alongside international young composers, to a joint and professional finalization of their works up to the public performance. The state funding that ensembles in France receive for mediation work, the awarding of composition commissions and for concerts makes it possible to finance an extraordinarily high level of professionalism that would not be affordable in other contexts," explains Rector Elisabeth Gutjahr. Since 2019, selected participants in ARCO have received intensive coaching and immediate feedback on their works in direct work with the ensembles Les Métaboles, Ensemble Multilatérale, and the Tana Quartet. ARCO has so far taken place twice in Marseille in a former tobacco factory - due to the pandemic - and in the future it will also be held at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, alternating annually. This additionally creates a contrary, creative environment that inspires in a very unique way. ARCO's core team focuses primarily on composition, and this year, for the first time, vocalists from the Mozarteum as well as a conducting student will also participate. "It really is a festival, very international and with top-class commissioned compositions. In this respect, it creates a very unique format that you won't find a second time," Elisabeth Gutjahr is pleased to say. The two academies not only offer the participating musicians a unique atmosphere rich in exchange, direct collaboration, artistic profile sharpening, internationality and valuable practical experience, but also hold an exciting summer in store for the audience. The two opening concerts will kick things off: ARCO on July 9 in the Max Schlereth Hall and Summer Academy on July 11 in the Solitär. The ARCO program will then lead to, among other things, a very special, fine production at the Marionettentheater as well as a special concert experience at the Museum der Moderne; small lunchtime concerts will take place at Mirabellplatz 1, an evening concert at Solitär as well as the grand final concert. "Visitors will experience an arc this summer over a program that begins very contemporary with ARCO, leads into classical music at the Summer Academy, and concludes with the competitions and events at the Festival - including a concert celebrating the 100th anniversary of the International Society for New Music. In addition to the Festival, during the summer you can see young talent 'in real time' and be there live when something new is created," says Elisabeth Gutjahr, describing the special features of this year's "Academy Summer" at the Mozarteum University. The details from the Summer Academy program have also already been determined: "Alexander Gilman will create a brilliant opening concert with his LGT Young Soloists, selected students will show their skills in the concert hall of Schloss Höch as part of the cooperation with the Flachau municipality and the cultural association, and the intensive courses 'Young Excellence' guarantee a great program for the final concert on August 5," Hannfried Lucke gives a first preview. In addition to already familiar names, this year the Summer Academy also welcomes new guests: among others, the former Summer Academy prizewinner and concert pianist Herbert Schuch, the violinist Latica Honda-Rosenberg, the Graz pianist Markus Schirmer, Alexander Gilman, violin professor at the renowned Royal College of Music in London, the cellist Valentin Radutiu, the internationally acclaimed bass-baritone and KS Andreas Schmidt and the Munich violinist Barbara Doll. For the first time, all master classes and additional courses as well as concerts will be concentrated at Mirabellplatz 1, and the spatial separation of vocal and instrumental classes of past years will be eliminated; an exciting opportunity for new things and for even more intensive, interdisciplinary exchange between students and teachers. For those who would like to experience the entire program of the International Summer Academy this summer, there is a special highlight coming up in September - SOAK goes Siena! Together with the Italian Accademia Musicale Chigiana, the Mozarteum University established the Baroque Summer Academy in 2021: Master Classes to deepen the study of Baroque music in Siena. From the Department of Early Music, eight teachers will travel to the musically glorious Italian city for concerts, master classes and a concert-performed opera, and together with the participants will create a program worth seeing as the "final festival" of the Summer Academy in Tuscany. "If you want to follow the artistic paths in the creation of new compositions, let yourself be taken along, be there 'backstage' for a change, then a visit to ARCO and the Summer Academy is just the thing: you can experience what the artists are doing at the moment. Experience things that (are) growing here. Like a preview of the world premiere. Equally fascinating is the musical journey into the past: historical performance practice in the historically unique ambience of Siena," explains Elisabeth Gutjahr with a laugh.
